Charles E. Nichols

The President of the United States takes pride in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross (Posthumously) to Charles E. Nichols (RA13165264), Corporal, U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy of the United Nations while serving with Company F, 2d Battalion, 7th Cavalry Regiment (Infantry), 1st Cavalry Division. Corporal Nichols distinguished himself by extraordinary heroism in action against enemy aggressor forces at Waegwan, Korea, on 18 September 1950. During a company attack against a hill heavily defended by intense enemy mortar, machine-gun and small-arms fire, Corporal Nichols observed his platoon commander approaching, unknowingly, into the fire of a hostile machine-gun approximately fifty yards away. He shouted a warning, but it was lost in the noise of battle. Acting without hesitation and well aware of the personal risk involved, Corporal Nichols hurled himself between his platoon commander and the point- blank machine-gun fire, absorbing with his own body the bullets aimed at the officer. During this noble selfless act, he suffered critical wounds that resulted in his death.